Pipe wrench



Oct. 24, 1933. J, R LONG 1,932,113

PIPE WRENCH Filed Feb. l5. 1953 IN V ENTOR,

' ATTORNEY?.

Patented Oct. 24, 1933 PATENT OFFICE This -invention relates to an improved pipe wrench having as one ofits -objects improved means whereby the wrench can be more easily adjusted and applied to and thereafter used and removed from a pipe or otherobject. More par,- ticularly my improvement provides a comparatively stationary jaw shank upon which a movable jaw is tiltinglyassociated, the tilting member 'being out of contact with the stationary jaw member leaving the latter free to be revolved and adjusted when not applied without binding effort between said parts. My improvement also provides a structure having maximum'strength, rigidity and simplicity, coupled with'a minimum of material.` Another object is the production of a wrench which can more veasily and quickly be set for use when applied to any predetermined size of pipe or other object.

With these and other objects in view, my inven-r tion comprises the features ofy construction and combination of parts hereinaftergdescribed and claimed. Y

In the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specincation, Figure lis a side elevation of my invention, part of the handle being broken away; Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the structure shown'in Fig. l, part of the struc-` 'ture'being shown in full side elevation;v Fig. 3 is a plan of the structure shown in Fig. l, and 30 liig. 4 is anend viewof the rotary jaw face..

1n the drawing, A indicatesthehandle of my improved wrench which comprises a shafthaving one endthereof screw threaded at `and provided with a rcircular tip C, the circular end surface being serrated at 11 and forming a stationary abutment jaw. Said jaw C is fixed upon one end of thehandle member by a pin 12. A sleeve E is adjustably engaged for longitudinal movement over the threads on said handle bar 4 0 and'is formedwith a pair of spaced flanges F on its side extending forwardly and between which a companion pipe engaging tilting jaw member G, opposite the fixed jaw member is hinged by the pintle l-l passing transversely through the flanges and body of the tilting jaw. Normally the movable jaw member G is tilted towards the xed jaw by the helical compression spring I, which is interposed between the heel of the tilting jaw and the body or" the sleeve and permits tilting play of the movable jaw. Said spring is seated freely in a recess 13 in the face of the heel portion ofthe tilting jaw member G and the passage through the sleeve E and a bearing tip 15 freely 14 corresponding with said recess movable in said passage 14 slidably bears against the threaded surface of the fixed jaw handle member A. A pin 16 extends upwardly from the Vbearing tip freely into the coil spring I. Thus the spring acts freely to more effectivelyperform its 'function during the entire tilting movement of 60 G integral with and extending along the handle A by which the pivoted jaw can be tilted into maximum open position. The rearward end of the -lever is knurled on its outer surface at 1'7 so as'to prevent slipping of the thumb or hand of the user when tilting the jaw member open. The jaw lmember G is provided with a shoulder 18 radially disposed from the axis of the pintle H and acting as a swinging stop against the inner end of the sleeve E to define the normal inward 'tilting or closed movement of jaw member G.

The tilting movement of jaw member G is sufcient to permit the fixed and tilting jaw members being easily applied to a pipe K or other object so that when the wrench is turned in the directionvof the arrow shown in Fig. 2, the jaws will iirmly bite into and engage the surface to which the wrench is applied.

In use the Wrench is opened to the desired size and adjusted to a pipe or other object to be turned or held in the usual Way except that the stationary member is adjusted by turning handle member A 9o to the desired vpredetermined position according to the diameter or size of the pipe or other object to Which'the wrench is to be applied, and that the jaw member. G'is rst tilted into wide open position by depressing lever J and then released. The hand operated lever J is important in releasing the jaws from the pipe or applying it thereon. To facilitate setting the jaws in the most effective work engaging position the rotary handlemember A is provided with a graduated scale L on its surface which in effect provides co-action with the screw action of the handle A and the stationary position of the sleeve E provides a micrometer adjustment by the use of which the jaws of the wrench can be set at any predetermined open size to enable ready and effective application of the wrench to its work.

It is important as is proven by experience that the jaw member C may be made to turnwith the handle A and not swivel thereon. By mounting the jaw in fixed relation to the handle the jaw becomes locked instantly when the wrench is used Whereas if Yswiveled the slight turning of the handle will loosen the wrench from its work which is detrimental. The use of the hand operable lever J is important as it enables more ready releasing of the jaws from the pipe or other object. The yoke sleeve it will be noted engages the threadslonear the jaws and-'extendsrearwardly a comparatively long distance beyond the threads where it has a second even and smooth bearing upon the shank or barrel of the handle. This double bearing atwidely separated longitudinal j points tends to prevent the handle from bending where the threads are located while under severe strain which is a distinct advantage. l* 1 ing jaw shankV rests at a single point by shoulder 18 against the end of the sleeve'liland thus reduces friction against the turning movement of the handle when the latter is adjusted which is Van advantage. The-improved structure also tends 'to' increase strength with a minimum of material and resulting, cost of productionwhich is also an advantage. Y

Modifications of the specic construction shown are oontemplatedwithin the spirit of the inven- .end and journaledl freely at its opposite` end on said handle bar, said sleeve `being adjustable on said'handle barand having .a pair of longitudinal flanges on its`side and a transverse-passage -over the threaded portion of said handle bar, aforwardly extending movable'jaw `member opposed to said fixed abutment jaw hinged upon said flanges'and having a rearwardly` extending lever .and av recess in the face'of said lever adjacent to said sleeve, va helical .spring between said lever and sleeve and seatedin said, recess and by which the-movable jaw member isurged to tilt -towards said4 fixed abutment jaw, and an `antifriction tip freely seated in said spring and transverse passage and between said spring and the screw threads of said handle bar member adapted'to retard the sleeve from turning on the handle bar.

- 2. A wrench, comprising,- Vin combination, a

"handle, bar member comprising a rotatableshaft v its opposite enden said handle `bar at a point ,remotely distanced -ironi said threaded end, said -sleeve'being adjustable yen said handle bar and hav-ing a pair of .longitudinal anees ,0.11. isside,

The. tilt;

a forwardly extending movable jaw member opposed to said fixed jaw member hinged upon said flanges and having a rearwardly extending lever by the depression of which towards said sleeve said movable jaw member is tilted apart from said fixed jaw, and a spring between said lever and handle member having an antifriction tip projecting through said sleeve and bearing against the threads of said handle to retard the sleeve from turning on the handle bar.

3. A wrench, comprising, in combination, a handle bar member comprising a rotatable shaft having a screw threaded end and a tip on said end forming a fixed abutment jaw, a sleeve engaged at one end over said threaded end and jjournaled freely at its opposite end on said handle bar, said sleeve being adjustable ,on said handle barand having'a pair of longitudinal flanges on its side and a transverse passage over the threaded portion of said handle bar, a forwardly eX- tending tilting jaw member opposed toY said fixed vabutment jaw hinged upon said flanges and haycoinciding with said transverse passage tl'ilollghV said sleev, a helical spring between said lever and sleeve andseated in said recess and by which the movable jaw member is urged to tilt towards said fixed jaw, and an antifriction tip freely seat- Ved in said spring and transverse passage between saidspring and the screw threaded surface of handle bar member, adapted to retard the sleeve from turning on said handle bar.

@A yvvrench, comprising, combination, a handle bar. member comprising a rotatable shaft having a screw threaded end anda tipV forming a fixed abutment jaw, aj sleeve engaged'at one end over said threaded end `and journaled Vfreely at its apposite end onsaid handle bar, said-sleeve being adjustable on said handle bar and having a pair ,oflongitudinal flanges on its side, a forwardly extending movable jaw member opposed to said fixed abutment jaw hinged upon said vg flanges and having Aa rearwardly extending lever Vby the depression of which towards said sleeve rsaid-movable jaw member is tilted apart; fromy said fixed abutment jaw, a graduated yscale clividing the side of said handle bar into measured spaces adapted to coincide with the end of said sleeve to provide accurate adjustment of said-jaws apart* when said handle bar is revolved in said sleeve, anda spring below said lever and pressing Vagainst said rotative handle bar, tending to ,L

urge thehinged jaw inwardly towards said xed jaw and` to retard rotativernovement of said `'handle bar, whereby the jaws are held precisely vadjusted in any desired open position.

JOHN ,Rp LONG.v

iis 

